NEW
Shop at my Illumination Store here: Joni's Store
January, 2012
Unfortunately the Stone Soup Gallery has closed.
October 31, 2011 - NEW WORK
"Fragments"
"Tower Seven"
"Lost in the Desert"
"Watch Tower"
August 18, 2011
I donated my photograph "4 Balloons" for the Beauty Amid Destruction project. I took the photo of the balloons on the ground as they were being filled around 6:00 am May 22, 2010 at the 27th Annual Sunrise Community Hot Air Balloon Race held at the Tuscaloosa Regional airport. My banner has been placed at the destroyed Emergicare site at 32 15th St. near Forest Lake. Nearly 4 months have passed since the F4 tornado hit and furniture still sits inside the shattered windows and ripped up building.
Hopefully my image will help lift a few heavy hearts as they pass by on this very busy street.
August 5, 2011
~Tuscaloosa Tornadoes~
On April 15, 2011 an EF-3 tornado with peak winds of 140 mph went over my home and destroyed a lot of property and trees in my neighborhood including a large cypress tree which fell across my yard missing my living room by a few feet. The tornado was the most frightening sound and event I have ever experienced.
Unfortunately only 12 days later on April 27 an EF-4 tore through my town of Tuscaloosa and destroyed over 500 businesses and thousands of homes killing nearly 50 people. The devastation was massive and horrific and left the town looking like a war zone.
Ever since I was a child I have suffered "tornado" nightmares as well as depression. This was the first time I actually experienced one so close. Reading the survivor's accounts, watching video and viewing the area since then left me extremely depressed and unable to even begin to create artwork.
Of course I was busy for weeks cleaning up the debris in my yard (large mangled and dead oak limbs still continue to fall when we have high winds) and delivering needed supplies to schools and shelters for the newly homeless.
I had been trying to find a way to use my artwork as a positive force after this tragedy when I was contacted about a new art project in town. It's called Beauty Amid Destruction. From their website:
Beauty Amid Destruction was created as a counterbalance to the devastating force of the massive, mile wide wall of 200+ mph winds that carved a nearly 7- mile deadly path through our city this spring.
We feel the deep sorrow over the loss of loved ones and the familiar comfort of homes taken by this devastating power of nature. We are facing a destroyed landscape and mountains of debris containing our buildings, vehicles, trees, and personal belongings.
Our goal for our first project is to install at least 100 outdoor banners with works of art throughout the impacted areas by summer’s end.
We are asking for participation from local artists, as well as artists across the nation, who understand the power of art and welcome the opportunity to utilize art to help our hurting community.
For more information: Beauty Amid Destruction Banners
August 4-31, 2011
"Hot 'n Cold Art Show"
The Alabama Art Kitchen
2626 University Blvd. Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
The opening reception at the AAK Gallery will be on Art Night, Thursday from 6-9 pm.
"Cloudscape"
"Basking in the Sun"
May 7, 2011
UPDATE: Stone Soup Gallery has been relocated to 7575 Parkway Drive in Leeds, Al. It is located inside the Earthborn Studios. An Opening Event will take place May 21 from 9:00 - 3:00. Directions from I-20 East: Exit # 140 (HWY 78) to Leeds. (Barber Racetrack exit) Turn Right on Hwy 78 and go up the hill into Leeds. Go thru 2 traffic lights, located in the middle of the next block on the right, directly across from CVS & Food World.
April 2011
New Lower Shipping Rates at my Illumination Store:
Paper prints and rolled canvas - $6.95
Wrapped canvas - $14.95
Framed prints begin at $14.95
March 20, 2011
I will be donating 50% of the proceeds (until June 1, 2011) from the sale of my artworks "Storm Clouds," "Japanese Bridge," "Dry Ocean" and "Japanese Maples" to ShelterBox.org, an international disaster relief organization which provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters including the current disaster in Japan.
You can purchase these images on a customizable notecard for $6.95, prints begin at $28 and stretched canvas prints at $57 at my Fine Art America store here: Japan Relief
While notecards are no longer available at my Illumination Store linked at the top of this page, you can still purchase any of my artwork there as a print on paper or canvas including canvas in the new floating frames (Click on "View Finish Options" in blue to the right of "Canvas Prints"): Storm Clouds - Japan Relief
March 15, 2011
Featured Member Artist at Imagekind.com, an international online art community
March 2011
New Work
Blue Hawaii
Beach Memory
Rushing Water
Thursday April 7, 2011
Off The Wall
Gateway Fundraiser
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Avon Theatre, 2829 7th Ave. S.
Birmingham, AL
Gateway's mission is to help families and children throughout north central Alabama by providing services they need to rebuild their lives.
Gateway
January 18, 2011
Update on Stone Soup Gallery - the lease has been extended until January 2012.
January 23 - February 23 2011
Double Exposure 8
Juried Statewide Photography Competition
Bama Theatre - Tuscaloosa, AL
Opening Reception Sunday Jan 23 2-4:00 PM
Gulf Lily
4 Balloons
January 5, 2011
New Online Store!
I have opened a second store at Fine Art America
where you can purchase my artwork as prints, prints on canvas, framed artwork and greeting cards which allow you to customize the text inside.
More Stone Soup Gallery Pictures
"Dark Shadows" and "Coatimundi Band" displayed on pedestal. "Thousand Columns on Fire" on wall in background.
"Dark Shadows"
I shot this photograph of The Observatory (El Caracol or "The Snail" named for the spiral staircase inside) at the Maya site Chichen Itza in the Yucatan of Mexico. My altered image reflects the mystery of this ancient culture's celestial knowledge and secret ceremonies. The jewel-toned blue and green background represents the beautiful Caribbean Sea. (Altered photo, Prismacolor pencil and Shiva oil paint on birch wood.)
"Directions"
Mysterious symbols came to me as I created this work in my Maya Series. The "units" traveling in the blue sky can be viewed as ascended beings or perhaps travelers approaching. The altered photo is from the ball court in Chichen Itza. (Handmade abaca and cotton paper, shells, altered photo, ink, colored pencil, hand-mixed oil pigment on canvas).
November 2010 (Updated)
I regret to announce that note cards are no longer available at my store. However, there are still plenty of options including the petite sized prints, canvas art prints and matted and framed artwork. NEW: Canvas prints in floating frames!
October 26 - January 15, 2011
Stone Soup Gallery
The Shops of Grand River
Leeds, Al
Stone Soup Gallery (site 646) Map
My mixed media Maya Series will be on exhibit and for sale at this brand new upscale outlet shopping mall.
Inspired by a trip to ancient Maya archaeological sites in the Yucatan of Mexico in 2005 the Maya Series was created with materials such as altered photographs I have taken, my handmade paper including "banabaca" (Japanese Abaca, Cotton and Banana stalk), colored pencil, ink and oils on canvas.
"Tulum: Maya City Above the Caribbean Sea"
Inspired by a trip to archaeology sites on the Yucatan of Mexico in 2005 I began a series of Maya-inspired artwork. I made this paper myself - it is a combination of Japanese Abaca, Cotton and Banana stalk. I sandwiched a scrap of blue paper with a fish design between two sheets then scraped the pulp away to reveal a section. I sketched in the image of El Castillo as seen from the sea then added the palm tree and Maya glyph which represents Itzamna, the Creator God, one of many Gods that are represented at Tulum. At that point the artwork began to look like a Treasure Map to me so I added a compass to this mysterious piece.
"From Earth To Light"
Altered photos of the ancient Maya sites Uxmal and Coba in the Yucatan of Mexico laid out in the Number of the Universe (3 components) with the center panel representing ascension to the afterlife.
"Falling Into The Underworld"
Another in my Maya Series, this drawing represents the jade mosaic death mask placed upon the Mayan King Pacal's face as he was laid out in his famous tomb in Palenque. I have also included some fanciful glyphs for maize, eternity and infinity.
"Thousand Columns on Fire"
It was an incredible experience climbing to the top of the Kukulcan Pyramid at Chichen Itza to take this photograph. Another piece in my Maya Series, I applied an antique finish then scratched the surface of the highly varnished image that rests on a piece of leather.
October 7-29, 2010
"Fantasy Photography"
Solo Exhibit
Bama Theatre, 600 Greensboro Ave. Tuscaloosa, Al
Located on the Second Floor of the Bama Theatre
Hours are Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm and during Bama Theatre events
October 1, 2010
Evening of Art and Blues
Live Music and Live and Silent Art Auction
Jemison-Van de Graaf Mansion
1305 Greensboro Ave. Tuscaloosa, Al
$25 admission/$10 students
Alabama Blues Project
"Melting Blues"
Summer/Fall 2010
Jubilation Magazine Featured Artist, Tuscaloosa County Accidental Art
"Queen City Poolhouse"
August 2010
Update on the Beaches of South Walton, Florida. I was at the beach this month and there has been minimal impact of any oil substances - the beaches and ocean are open and the coastal lakes have thankfully not been damaged. There are many thriving fish, dolphins, rays and birds along the coast, the air is clean and the natural flora is blooming.
July 1, 2010
Honorable Mention Awarded
Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama Annual Photo Contest
6:00 PM Art Night Opening, Kentuck Courtyard, Northport Al
(Photo to be published in CCWA annual book)
"Four Balloons"
June 2010
I am deeply saddened by the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. For 14 years I have traveled to the Alabama and Florida panhandle coastlines for inspiration. The coastal lakes of South Walton County, FL are extremely rare and fragile ecosystems. I spent a week at Seagrove Beach a few weeks ago and hope that such a beautiful place will not be changed forever by greed and indifference.
Slideshows of my artwork set to music:
Star Dust
Illuminated Spheres |
